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BEING PREPARED Sunday, June 17, 2007
SONG SERVICE LAST WEEKS MESSAGE WEDNESDAY'S STUDY THE AUDIO WILL COME ON AUTOMATICALLY
Most of you are familiar with Moses Jackson who is an inmate and also a minister for the Lord at the church in his prison. He has sent us messages that are on our site. (http://www.hopeontheinside.org/PRISONERministrymoses1.html)
This week, a young man that Moses discipled while he was in another prison wrote me a letter. I must say that it is a blessing to receive communication from one who is like a son to Moses, who is like a son to us. The things this man said in his letter inspired today’s message. It really quickened my spirit.
He said that he has “been learning about “preparation”—that, when it comes to Spiritual battles, it’s a word we’d do well to remember and it is something many believers don’t pay attention to---they don’t prepare in advance but rather they fiddle around until the devil makes his move and then they try to fight him with the Word…and they usually lose. By waiting till the last minute to take a stand, the devil has time to build up his forces and that’s how many battles are lost. If Al Capone had been kicked out of Chicago when he was just a small time operator, he wouldn’t have been so hard to handle, but they waited until he was a first-class criminal with his forces built up all around him. Then, they tried to take him down. That’s a good analogy. That’s why we should make up our minds never to be caught unprepared again.”
WE WILL BE CAUGHT UNPREPARED IF WE DON’T TAKE THE TIME TO ACTUALLY BE PREPARED! Ephesians 6:10-18 10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
He went on to say, “We can start praying things in advance, getting the stage set spiritually, so to speak, before the battle even begins. Instead of letting the enemy get his forces entrenched, we should continue throwing him out before he gets a single foothold. Once the body of Christ starts doing that it that way, more victories will be seen than ever before. Don’t let the devil catch you off-guard. Be prepared—start praying and speaking the word of faith over everything in your life”
Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
I think that’s a great word and so true. There are times when “terrible” things have happened but I was spiritually prepared for them—speaking and praying God’s Word and ready to react in faith when they happened. As a result, they passed away quickly without really hurting me. There were other times, when bad things happened and I was not at all prepared; these were the times that I stumbled and it took me a long time to get back up. These are the times I was wounded badly.
WE MUST KEEP IN MIND AT ALL TIMES THAT WE ARE IN A SPIRITUAL BATTLE. WE AREN’T FIGHTING AGAINST PEOPLE OR THINGS—WE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST SPIRITUAL FORCES…
Ephesians 6:12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
BECAUSE WE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST SPIRITUAL FORCES—WE NEED SPIRITUAL WEAPONS. HERE THEY ARE:
13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. 14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, 15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.(A) 16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. 17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God. 18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
I AM NOT GOING TO GO INTO GREAT DETAIL ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF ARMOR TODAY. MY POINT IS LET’S PREPARE OURSELVES IN ADVANCE FOR THE BATTLES. LET’S BE BUILT UP IN THE WORD, PRAYER, AND WORSHIP. LET’S LISTEN FOR ALL THAT GOD IS SAYING TO US EACH DAY. LET’S START EVERY SINGLE DAY WITH GOD FIRST—BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE. IF WE DO THAT, EVERYTHING ELSE WILL GO MORE SMOOTHLY.
Prepare for the stress and you won’t be a mess!!!
I remember when I went through the fire that burnt down our apartment. God had been building me up in the Word, and in worship for months before it happened. I had been really soaking up His Word and you KNOW the Bible says that “Faith comes by hearing—hearing by the Word”
If I had not been ready to really trust God, I would have died in that fire. I had 90 seconds to make all the decisions including getting out. I had to get help for my mother. Also, I had to walk THROUGH the fire and find the door. In a fire, the only light is within the fire itself—the rest of the place is filled with thick dark smoke and you cannot see anything not even something two feet in front of you. God had to literally show me where the door was even though I wasn’t far away from it. Then, when I got there, the door wouldn’t open because the heat had made it stick. I had time for one prayer and then the door opened miraculously. It was a horrible experience and no one can really understand what it is like unless they have actually been in the middle of a fire. On the day of the attack on the World Trade Towers, people jumped out of windows to their death rather than stay in the fire. I understand that. I felt all the horror of the fire and, given a choice, would have wanted to jump out of a window if there was no other way out. But, surprisingly, the one thing I didn’t feel inside that fire was fear—because God had prepared me spiritually beforehand. In fact, He gave me a song right before it happened. The song was…
THROUGH THE FIRE
When I'm weary and tired,
I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT AND GET HELP TO GET MY MOTHER OUT. WHEN SHE WAS BROUGHT OUT, SHE DID NOT HAVE ONE BURN ON HER BODY. SHE ACTUALLY HAD DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES. I still miss her so much—but I know that she is with Jesus. She was such a strong and faithful believer that God just took her. She is with him now. We both came through the fire that day… we just went in two different directions. One day, I will be where she is.
All of us face battles every day. I know that God can surround you and keep you safe. Should you have to get through a fire—either spiritually or literally—God will lead you through. That is what I pray for you---always. (The deliverance, not the fire).
YOU CAN PREPARE YOURSELF TO STAND AGAINST FEAR WITH THESE SCRIPTURES:
PROVERBS 3:21My son, let them not escape from your sight, but keep sound and godly Wisdom and discretion, 22And they will be life to your inner self, and a gracious ornament to your neck (your outer self). 23Then you will walk in your way securely and in confident trust, and you shall not dash your foot or stumble.(B) 24When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.
25Be not afraid of sudden terror and panic, nor of the stormy blast or the storm and ruin of the wicked when it comes [for you will be guiltless], 26For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger].
YOU CAN PREPARE YOURSELF NOT TO WORRY WITH THIS: PHILIPPIANS 4:6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([b]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7And God's peace [shall be yours, that [c]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [d]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
OTHER THINGS WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR--- · For sickness and pain · For depression · For bad news · For loss of income—job loss · Children being hurt · Children rebelling · Children in danger · Persecution—being judged · Family-relationship problems · Danger · Terrorism · Temptation
Okay, that list makes me queasy and it’s just a sample of things that may come against us. But, here is the good news: THERE IS SCRIPTURE FOR EACH AND EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE—FOR EVERY SINGLE BATTLE WE MIGHT FACE. BUT, DO WE KNOW WHAT THAT IS?
ROMANS 10:17 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
It doesn’t say faith comes by hearing the word of God—it says faith comes by hearing and HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD! WITHOUT THE WORD OF GOD—WE CAN’T EVEN LEARN TO HEAR.
I have prepared some scriptures for you for several of these subjects. You will find them at the end of this study. I hope that they will be a help to you and a lifeline. They have been to me.
I would like us to prepare now to take Communion.
· In observing Communion we are remembering Christ and all that He has done for us in his life, death and resurrection: And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:24 (NIV)
· In observing Communion we are proclaiming His death until He comes.
· For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NIV)
· When we observe Communion we show our participation in the body of Christ. His life becomes our life and we become members of each other: Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (NIV)
Let’s now take the time to forgive all who have hurt us and to ask forgiveness for sins—to ask God to bring to our remembrance any sin we might not be aware of. But, we don’t need to agonize over it or be detectives; He will show us what He wants us to be aware of and that’s what we will deal with. Let’s take the bread….
Let’s take the cup…. Thank you Jesus, for the wonderful privilege of being part of your Body—and partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine. May God bless you and give you a Wonderful day. SCRIPTURES TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE:
DEPRESSION: Why are you downcast, 0 my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God. (Psalm 43:5)
Find rest, 0 my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:5) MOURNING: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18) Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. (Isaiah 53:4) He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)
SICKNESS: I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, 0 God, protect me. (Psalm 69:29) Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; 0 LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. (Psalm 6:2) Heal me, 0 LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. (Jeremiah 17:14) 0 LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. (Psalm 30:2) My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. (Psalm 34:2) For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. (Psalm 72:12) The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. (Psalm 41:3) Everything is possible for him who believes. (Mark 9:23) When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. (Luke 4:40) Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed. (Luke 8:50) And the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. (Luke 6:19) Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (Matthew 20:34) The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. (Matthew 21:14) Is any of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14) And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:15)
SLEEPNESSNESS: I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, 0 LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8) I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. (Psalm 3:5) I will praise the LORD who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. (Psalm 16:7) By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me --a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8) The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. (Ecclesiastes 5:12) In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves. (Psalm 127:2) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)
ANXIETY, WORRY, FEAR: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) Do not fret - it leads only to evil. (Psalm 37:8) Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:41-42) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:25-26) An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. (Proverbs 12:25) Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)
DANGER: Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. (Psalm 2:12) The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27) You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7) Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. (Psalm 5:11) He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. (Psalm 91:4) It is good to be near God. (Psalm 73:28) Hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. (Psalm 17:8-9) Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 36:7) He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. (2 Samuel 22:31) In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. (Psalm 31:20) Keep me safe, 0 God, for in you I take refuge. (Psalm 16:1) Rescue me from my enemies, 0 LORD, for I hide myself in you. (Psalm 143:9) Save and deliver me from all who pursue me. (Psalm 7:1) Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue. (Psalm 31:2)
WEAKNESS AND WEARINESS: Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24) God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27) My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. (2 Corinthians 12:10) For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10) The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:30-31) They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
CHILDREN: The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. – Proverbs 20:7 The LORD will give strength to his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. – Psalm 29:11 He makes the infertile woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. – Psalm 113:9 Children are an heritage of the LORD... – Psalm 127:3 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. – Proverbs 17:6 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. – Jeremiah 29:11
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS: "If there is a poor man...give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to...." Deut.15:7-11 (esp.vs.10) "I was young and now I am old(er), yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed." Ps.37:25-26 "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." Ps.41:1 KJV "Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely." Ps.112:5a "...do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow,' when you now have it with you." Prov.3:28 "The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry." Prov.10:3a "Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." Prov.11:4 "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." Prov.11:24 "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Prov.11:25 "The righteous eat to their heart's content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry." Prov.13:25 "Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil." Prov.15:16 "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done." Prov.19:17 "...the righteous give without sparing." Prov.21:26 "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Prov.22:9 "A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." Prov.28:20 "A stingy man is eager to get rich (and) is unaware that poverty awaits him." Prov.28:22 "...he who trusts in the Lord will prosper." Prov.28:25 "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Prov.28:27 "...give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?'" Prov.30:8 "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." Eccl. 11:1 "...he who walks righteously...this is the man who will dwell on the heights...his bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him." Isa.33:15a+16 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse...Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it..." Malachi 3:10 "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well." Matt.6:33 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 And he said to them, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."... So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:15+21
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I give my advice: it is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not. I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality. As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack." 2 Cor.8:9-15 (and Ex.16:18)
"Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously...having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written, 'He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor...Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion." 2 Cor.9:6+8b+9a+10-11 "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phil.4:19
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day. Matt.6:19-34
TEMPTATION: 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. Hebrews 2:18 - Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him James 1:14 - But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. James 1:15 - Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:2 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, James 1:3 - because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Matthew 26:41 - "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
SEEKING GUIDANCE AND WISDOM:
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2) • A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel. (Proverbs 1:5) Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. (Proverbs 9:9) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) • How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. (Proverbs 3:13-19) Wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. (Proverbs 7:12) Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 8:32-35)
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. (Proverbs 10:17 NIV) Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory. (Proverbs 11:14) Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. (Proverbs 12:1) Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance. (Proverbs 20:18) There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. (Proverbs 21:30 NIV) Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. (Proverbs 23:9 NIV) The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. (James 3:17) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent... (Phil.1:9–10 NKJV)
We... do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God..." (Col. 1:9–11 NKJV)
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS:
Let the older women teach the younger women to live quietly, to love their husbands and their children (Titus 2: 4–5 TLB)
Husbands, likewise, dwell with your wives with understanding, giving honor to the wife as the weaker vessel (I Peter 3:7 NKJV)
Children, obey your parents" (Eph. 6:1 TLB)
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4 NKJV)
If you can find a good wife, her worth is far above rubies" (Prov. 31: 10–31 TLB)
Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. I Peter 3:1-2
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS:Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) |
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